I loved my year at home with Addie. At least 99% of it. It was an experience I'll probably never have again, so I'm so glad I took the whole time.
I'm also glad to be back at work. It was time, and while it was a hard transition from a family perspective, it's been good for me. It's also been good for Addie - she has made friends at "school", is learning more independence, and seriously comes home daily with a new trick. However, there are days when I feel slightly guilty - like when she races to the snack table too fast and trips over a chair leg and gets a black eye. She can't be watched every moment at school, so there are bound to be accidents. But I wonder...would that have happened if it was just the two of us? Does she always get a hug, or get her nose wiped, when she needs it? Probably not. But she's ok, and happy, and I remind myself that it's probably better for her that I'm not fawning over her. I'm certain it is.
I was trying to explain to some friends the other day my desire to have a career, as well as my family. One is a stay-at-home mom to three, and the other has one, with another on the way, and could be very content to stay home going forward. Neither really has ever felt that career "calling". I totally get that - raising your child(ren) is probably one of the most gratifying and important jobs you could ever have. I definitely feel that. But for me, there needs to be more. Maybe that sounds *bad*...but it's the truth. And not just for me - it's important to me that I'm a role model for Addie, not only as a mom but also as someone who pursues a "career" or "calling." I want her to strive in all areas of her life, and be fierce in her pursuance of her goals and dreams. Of course, I also want her to appreciate family, and the balance of life. Whew...I have a lot of 'work' ahead of me to make sure I'm modelling all of this for her : )
Anyway, I've been thinking a lot these days about all of this. How to keep the balance, and make sure that everyone is getting what they need.
If you've chosen family AND career, tell me why that works for you. Tell me why that's important to you. If you've chosen to stay home with your kids, I also want to hear your perspective. I really feel (and I've said it before) that I am a better mom because I go to work every day. Not for everyone, but definitely works for us.
I'm also glad to be back at work. It was time, and while it was a hard transition from a family perspective, it's been good for me. It's also been good for Addie - she has made friends at "school", is learning more independence, and seriously comes home daily with a new trick. However, there are days when I feel slightly guilty - like when she races to the snack table too fast and trips over a chair leg and gets a black eye. She can't be watched every moment at school, so there are bound to be accidents. But I wonder...would that have happened if it was just the two of us? Does she always get a hug, or get her nose wiped, when she needs it? Probably not. But she's ok, and happy, and I remind myself that it's probably better for her that I'm not fawning over her. I'm certain it is.
I was trying to explain to some friends the other day my desire to have a career, as well as my family. One is a stay-at-home mom to three, and the other has one, with another on the way, and could be very content to stay home going forward. Neither really has ever felt that career "calling". I totally get that - raising your child(ren) is probably one of the most gratifying and important jobs you could ever have. I definitely feel that. But for me, there needs to be more. Maybe that sounds *bad*...but it's the truth. And not just for me - it's important to me that I'm a role model for Addie, not only as a mom but also as someone who pursues a "career" or "calling." I want her to strive in all areas of her life, and be fierce in her pursuance of her goals and dreams. Of course, I also want her to appreciate family, and the balance of life. Whew...I have a lot of 'work' ahead of me to make sure I'm modelling all of this for her : )
Anyway, I've been thinking a lot these days about all of this. How to keep the balance, and make sure that everyone is getting what they need.
If you've chosen family AND career, tell me why that works for you. Tell me why that's important to you. If you've chosen to stay home with your kids, I also want to hear your perspective. I really feel (and I've said it before) that I am a better mom because I go to work every day. Not for everyone, but definitely works for us.